SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Augustana swimming & diving teams head to the Centennial State for a quad invite against three RMAC foes in Colorado School of Mines, Western Colorado and the host Colorado Mesa, on Friday and Saturday in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Friday's meet is slated for an 6 p.m. (CST) start while Saturday's meet will start at 11 a.m. (CST). 

Earlier on Thursday, the women's squad earned recognition from the CSCAA as it learned it was ranked No. 21 in the opening poll of the 2021-22. The ranking is the second in program history for Augustana. The Vikings jumped into the rankings on Jan. 16, 2020, where they were ranked No. 22. 

The Meet

The two days will be separate meets with 13 events on Friday and 16 on Saturday. 

The men's team will compete against Colorado Mesa and Colorado School of Mines, while the women will compete against all three RMAC institutions.

There will be a live stream and live results available at GoAugie.com/Live and on the GoAugie app, presented by CellOnly, found in the app store and on Google play.

The Competition

The host, Colorado Mesa, was tabbed to finish first in the RMAC in both the men's and women's swimming & diving preseason polls. 

In their first weekend of competition, the Mavericks swept the RMAC Swimmer and Diver of the Week honors for both the men and women. Ben Sampson was named the RMAC Swimmer of the Week and Tanner Belliston was named Diver of the Week. For the women, Lauren White was named the RMAC Swimmer of the Week with Jolynn Harris being selected for RMAC Diver of the Week.

Colorado Mines was tied for second with Oklahoma Christian in the RMAC Men's Swimming & Diving Preseason Poll.

On the women's side, Colorado Mines was selected to finish second in the league and Western Colorado was tabbed to finish fourth.

The Vikings

Early into the season, the women of Augustana have 28 times within the top-five in the NSIC. Highlighting the performances of the Vikings so far in the season are senior Taylor Beagle and freshman Leona Coha, both holding the top spot in at least one event within the conference. 

Coha leads the conference in the 1000-Free (10:39.66) and the 200-Fly (2:13.14), while Beagle leads the league in the 200-Free (1:56.84) and 500-Free (5:11.41). 

Beagles' performances thus far have put the league on notice, although it already should have by being the two-time NSIC Swimmer of the Year, taking the first two NSIC Swimmer of the Week honors.

Despite being early on in the inaugural season, the men's team is making a splash in the competition.

The Vikings have 10 times that are within the top-10 in the GLIAC so far this season.

Freshman Pedro Borin is within the top-ten in four events in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, coming in the 200-Fly (1:55.85), 100-Fly (51.64), 200-Free (1:43.28) and the 1000-Free (9:55.95).

--GoAugie.com--